Chapter 3 Alexander's Proposal

"Harry, I want you to work in my company," he said.

What! I exclaimed.

"Martin, don't you think he should----,

"Work in the company? Yeah, I think it's a reasonable idea," Martin said.

"I can't, it is unthinkable as of now," I said.

"What's that!" my dad let out, " Pardon me, Harry."

"I can't work in your company and you know why I can't dad," I said.

"Nope, I don't," my dad said as he wouldn't get it.

"My studies dad," I said.

"Oh... yeah, that is true," said my dad as he shook his head, " but you can work in my company after your studies or should I say graduation, right?"

"I guess so," I replied.

"Harry is that a yes," asked uncle, Martin.

"Yep, I will work in the Bank's Imports Company," I said, "But on one condition."

"Let it out," said my dad as he was ready to listen.

"Dad, if I'm to work in your company then I don't want greater positions like General manager, Director..., and so forth," I said.

"But you are my son, a..... I want only the best for you, I want to see you as the director or more," said my dad.

"Dad, I'm sorry but you shouldn't give me such kind of positions just because I'm your son," I said as I approached him.

"Harry....," he said.

"Dad, that is my only condition," I said.

"Harry is right my love," Lydia said as she stood on the stairs, moving towards us she said, " you shouldn't be blinded by love, just because he is your son doesn't mean that he should get things on a silver plate, no, he has to work for them, he should even be glad that he didn't grow up on the streets, right Harry?"

"Lydia, no, I and his mother already struggled for him, we built all these things just for him, Martin you recall how I and his mother worked so hard just to set up all these things, you recall all the difficulties we had to go through, don't you?" my dad asked as he was getting angry. Anger curled hot and unstoppable in his gut, like a blazing hell that wanted to burn him from the inside out.

"Alexander, I can still recall everything," Martin said.

"I'm sorry dad if I upset you," I said as I felt bad.

I don't like seeing my dad in this kind of situation and besides, I promised my mother when I was 10 that I will always give attention to my dad.

"No, you didn't upset me, your mother here just did," said my dad as he lifted his hand and pointed his finger at her. Never had I ever seen him as mad as he was.

" Alexander, tell me, what did I say that was not right, tell me now, that Harry here shouldn't get everything he wants on a silver plate, is that it Alexander," she shouted.

"Lydia, enough, that is enough," my dad shouted.

"Harry already told you what he wants, he wants a lower position, why can't you understand your son?" she said.

"Lydia this conversation isn't going anywhere we should end it, and right now, I will make one thing clear to all of you, as long as I'm alive, my son can't suffer, he can't encounter what I encountered, no, and for your information, he is Harry Banks, the son of Alexander Banks," shouted my dad.

"Dad I accept, I will take any position you give me in the company, not because I'm that interested in it but because I want to make you happy and proud of me," I said, " plus, I don't want to see you this upset again, so assure me that you won't get upset again."

"Harry, I'm sorry but I can't assure you anything," he said, "Martin, let's go," my dad said as he left the mansion in fury.

"Mother, what happened here?" asked Stanley.

"Nothing much," she said, " just a simple argument ."

"Was it because of him?" Stanley asked as he stared at me.

What's wrong with him, I didn't cause the quarrel between them.

"Just let it be Stan," said my Stepmother.

"Hey brother, what are you sayin?" I shouted.

"You shut up. For your information I'm not your brother," he shouted.

"Stanley, you are my brother and nothing can change that."

"Step plus brother. I'm your stepbrother. We don't share the same blood, Harry Banks, I'm Stanley White and you're Harry Banks. There is a difference between us, just like there is a difference between day and night, oil and water and black and white," he shouted.

But---

"No... buts," he said, "Stepbrother, keep that in your mind."

"Stan, let's talk about it, let us settle our differences right now," I said.

"Hey telling me to settle our differences is like telling the dog to stop chasing the cat and at the same time telling the cat to stop chasing the mice, do you think that it is possible Mr Harry Banks," he said.

"Stan, don't address me with a Mister, I'm not a Mister, I'm your brother, mother help me out," I said.

"I've had enough of you Harry Banks," he shouted.

"Stan----,"

"Don't utter a single word and should father get to know about this, then you are doomed, it is between you and me, no one else will intervene," he said.

"Stanley, that is enough let's go upstairs or else," said my stepmother.

"Or else what mother, what can Harry possibly do to me? All he knows is showing off, " dad I want you to be proud of me, daddy I love you, dad I would do anything you ask me to" and God knows what he did today," Stanley shouted as he went upstairs.

"Stanley, it isn't like that, believe me, you got it all wrong" I said but he couldn't pay attention to me.

If only he would listen to my explanation just this once, I did all I did because I promised my mother to do so. That's what I'm trying to do even up to now. Living up to my promise. When did he start thinking of me that way, yes I might be a tycoon's son but I don't show off.